Last Updated on December 15, 2009 5:54 pm by drew
L.C. Pizza Bowl
Detroit,
When it returns to
Bet The 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
The Bobcats go for their first 10-win season since 1968 as they face the Thundering Herd, who will be led by interim coach Rick Minter as they try to avoid their fifth straight losing season.
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Winners of the MAC East for the first time since 2006,
"We obviously would like to come back (to Ford Field)," coach Frank Solich said after that defeat.
Senior Theo Scott will try to lead the Bobcats to their first bowl victory in their fourth appearance after throwing for 2,258 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Scott, who took over the starting job after Boo Jackson suffered a torn labrum Sept. 12, was battling a left ankle injury in the MAC title game but is expected to be at full strength.
One of Scott’s favorite targets lately has been junior wide receiver Terrence McCrae, who had career highs with seven catches and 141 yards Dec. 4.
Scott also has senior wide receiver Taylor Price as an effective deep-play threat. Price, the program’s all-time leader with 145 receptions, was held to one catch in the MAC title game.
First-team all-conference kick returner Chris Garrett, who led the MAC with 27.0 yards per return, has rushed for a team-high 591 yards.
Ohio will look to snap a four-game losing streak to Marshall, which before joining Conference USA in 2005 won seven of the eight meetings as a member of the MAC from 1997-2004.
The Thundering Herd (6-6) are playing in their first bowl game since a 32-14 loss to
"It has been an honor to be the coach here and I will always be appreciative of the opportunity my university gave me," Snyder said in a statement. "I want to thank all of the fans for their support and all of my players and assistant coaches for their hard work and dedication. I wish the program nothing but the best."
Minter, the defensive coordinator, will serve as the interim coach for the bowl game, while athletic director Mike Hamrick said the Thundering Herd’s other coaches will be retained for this contest. According to reports, though, Hamrick has already interviewed candidates for the coaching position and could name a replacement prior to facing
With plenty of distractions about the future of the program, junior Brian Anderson will attempt to lead the Thundering Herd to their first bowl win since 2002.
Freshmen wide receivers Antavious Wilson and Aaron Dobson have combined for more than 1,000 yards and notched seven TDs, while senior Cody Slate – a Mackey Award finalist – has 607 receiving yards and four scores.
The Thundering Herd, though, will face a defense that leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 36 forced turnovers.
Junior linebacker Noah Keller, 12th in the nation with 10.6 tackles per game, will try to help the Bobcats slow down running back Darius Marshall, who is expected to return after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
The Bobcats lead the series with
2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Teams:
Kickoff: Dec. 26, 2009, 1PM ET
Venue: Ford Field
TV: ESPN
Odds:
Bet The 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Posted: 12/15/09 5:54PM ET